Beyond footwear - End to end innovation for world leading brands in footwear design and product direction.
With a development showcase on Concept Kicks to highlight my making process, the Snail Mule was all about lines and translating ‘codes to live by’. A close up look at the inner padding construction and attention to detail in balances, the self-brief was a uniformity that exudes essential minimalism. Made in Portugal.
The design strategy expands the "Squish" sole unit into a cohesive footwear collection. Building an entire line around a single signature sole unit. Featuring mules, t-bars and boots, the range established a future icon in an ownable look and feel for Axel Arigato while optimizing the unique tooling.
Possibly the most daring sneaker direction and design from the brand to date. The Squish is directly intended to counteract the ‘clean minimalism’ the brand is known for…. Still minimal and with no unnecessary details, but also expressively unique, characterful and endearing in a way that instantly translates to its wearer.
An exploration in luxury skate aesthetics, this version of the new upper features Italian leather with a statement stitch motif underlay and 3D piping detail. A neutral and understated colour palette showcases the attention to detail in this premium offering.
This is the first project to launch the new creative direction and handwriting of the Axel brand.A sprint project where everything was designed, developed and finessed on the factory floor in Portugal in a matter of weeks not months.
‘Foam’ is the hero in this product story. Every element of the ‘skate shoe’ aesthetic is exaggerated, instead of one tongue there’s two, - thick and padded they take the usually concealed and push the silhouette into a new form. Every line is a wave to ride reflecting a laid back attitude and skater DNA.
Expect the unexpected, showcasing the beauty of an often overlooked detail - the tongue label.The ambition of this project was to challenge perceptions of the brand and signal a turning point in design language.
The best selling colour way of the Sphere Runner refreshed with pastel nubucks and silver metallic hits inspired by Y2K aesthetics.
The ‘Sneakerina’. Featuring cut-outs for Spring/Summer breathability, the Slow Ballerina was more than a trend in its uniqueness… designed to transcend seasons, work with various stylings and bridge a number of occasions, the Made in Portugal sneaker was carefully infused with brand relevance in the details.
Transforming an already iconic silhouette with a new upper, the rework was designed to create an original balance of sport and fashion, robust and delicate. This project revived a sole unit in decline and repeatedly sold out with its alignment to a coquette inspired trend.
Tasked with revitalising and re-launching the 90s brand Pod for the female Gen-Z market, this capsule collection project involved an extensive exploration of the brand's core visual identity. The footwear designs consisted of customisable solutions tailored for future seasons, two new outsoles and multiple upper patterns.
Re-inventing a Dr Martens staple with the infusion of a bolder DNA. Featuring a two colour outsole injection to create the ‘Lava’ effect blurring the worlds of heritage and futurism.
This project had many working titles throughout its development - ‘Gnocci’, ‘Cocoon’ and the one that finally stuck ‘The Snail’. An exploration in extreme volume paired with a minimal low profile silhouette, this mule is all about form, unique impact and casual extravagance.
Inspired by UK 90’s rave culture and back to school tongue in cheek humour, this vibrant capsule collection kicked off a long running partnership between the brands. The collaboration reached new audiences for both and was an unexpected cult success for Kickers.
The Axel Arigato Area sneaker collection updates skate styles to reimagine bold '90s silhouettes through three distinct variations.The classic Area Lo is the starting point for inspiration, a timeless core execution handcrafted in Portugal with premium materials.Embracing a luxury skate aesthetic, the Area Loop variation adds volume with a chunkier upper, unique tubular piping, and ghillie lacing system.The final and most expressive of the trio is the limited "Maybe" concept featuring an experimental deconstructed design, built with double tongues, exposed foam and crafted without boundaries.
A subversive take on the British schoolyard.The Palace x Kickers collaboration reworked the legendary Kick Hi boot through a nostalgic skater lens in finish and detailing.A timeless school silhouette, refined and reinvented for generations that do and don’t remember Britpop or The Hacienda.
An archival update of the iconic flat pointed toe silhouette. An antithesis to the chunky styles in the range, the Elphie was designed to disrupt and counter on shelf and on foot.
An artisan inspired mule manufactured in Portugal and finished in Italian denim. The Pillow Mule is designed to exude a feeling of softness upon sight whilst retaining contemporary proportions.
The Daze Runner is Axel's bestselling style. This sleek, minimalist update focuses on adding maximum attitude to the flattest proportions. Handmade in Portugal, the Daze is constructed from a delicate satin fabric and elasticated ruched collar for a lightweight collapsable feel.
Experimentation in rapid prototyping helps to reach original design languages quickly and create new unexpected aesthetics. Built with existing uppers, combined with 3D printed outsole pods and bold lacing concepts.
The Squish Sneaker styled head to toe for SS26.
The Dr. Martens Adrian T-Bar Woven is a summer-ready hybrid shoe blending the classic look of a loafer with a t-bar strap silhouette. It features a distinct woven leather pattern across the profile while adding a light, breathable texture perfect for summer seasonality. Made from untreated leather, the shoe will naturally darken and develop a unique patina over time and wear.
Possibly the most daring sneaker direction and design from the brand to date. The Squish is directly intended to counteract the ‘clean minimalism’ the brand is known for…. Still minimal and with no unnecessary details, but also expressively unique, characterful and endearing in a way that instantly translates to its wearer.
Inspired by Y2K aesthetics, this streamlined interpretation of the Satellite model features a new upper design with a concealed lacing system and unique piping details.
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